My first week in Belvidere has been nicer than I could ever have expected. I wanted to take a moment to thank the people of Belvidere for their warm welcome. Everyone who has come into my shop this week has been so friendly, warm, and welcoming. I have met so many great people already and I am happy to know each and every one of them.

I believe very strongly in small town business and always have. I grew up in Metuchen, NJ which, although large in comparison to some of the towns here in Warren County, is a classic American small town. What Metuchen offered to its residents was a strong sense of community and a desire to give back to the town. I grew up running to Main St when I needed supplies for a school project, a frozen yogurt, slice of pizza or greeting card. Walking home from school was always an adventure as we stopped at the local novelty store, Variety Village, to explore the fun things that stocked the shelves or the local Krauzers for a soda. My first job was at a party supply store in town and then many of my subsequent high school jobs were also along that same street. Now, 14 years later, I am proud to be a part of another small town and to help provide some of the joy that I knew living in my own hometown.

So many people are concerned with the economic status of the country and their own wallets that they no longer are willing to drive 40 minutes to a department store or mall when they are in need of some shopping. For so long, small towns were put out of business by larger cities and shopping areas. I remember listening to all the talk when Lowe’s and Home Depot moved into our area and the small hardware store suffered a loss in customers. Now it seems those super stores are everywhere, but people still need to get to them and today’s economy causes people to pick and choose between going and staying home even if they are in need. I believe that with the economy the way it is, people will start looking to their small towns again to provide them with the services that were once common place.

It is on that note that I chose to move into Belvidere to set up my business. Not only is it convenient for me, it is also the something that the people need. With more shops in town comes more pride in the town and more draw to the town.

So I thank the people of Belvidere who have taken the time to come see me and who have helped me become a part of this wonderful community. I look forward to being here and getting to know more of my “neighbors”.

After a chance encounter with another extremely craft minded person, and now new friend, I decided to give Flickr a try for some jewelry pictures. I soon fell in love with the site and the way it organizes the pictures. You should see a posting a pictures from Flickr on the right side of this page. I set it to the maximum photos allowed by WordPress’ widget settings, so there will always be jewelry pictures. Many of the items can still be found on my website and now in my store; however, some have already been sold and I can not promise availability on any item now that I am selling in three locations.

In other news, the store is moving along toward the opening. I cannot believe that it is only four days away! I do hope that if you’re in the area, you will stop by to see the shop in person. The pictures do not compare to the real thing.

Nanuk’s Igloo will be opening the door for the first time on Wednesday, July 23.

Grand Opening!

All customers who come in that day will receive 25% off their entire purchase as a thank you for helping support my shop. I hope that if you’re in the area, you will think about taking a little time to swing by and see what Nanuk’s Igloo offers.

If you can’t be there in person, you can still shop online and receive a 10% discount with coupon code SUMMER through August 1.

Nanuk’s Igloo is happy to announce that Wildefyre Photography will be joining me at the shop in Belvidere, New Jersey. Prints will be available for purchase directly from the shop.

More about Wildefyre Photography:

Wildefyre Photography is dedicated to providing fun, friendly and comfortable services for Weddings, Engagements, Maternity and Newborn, as well as many other special occasions. The sky is the limit…I am available to provide tasteful and professional service for any of your photographic needs! Serving Cambridge and the tri-city area, as well as much of Southern Ontario and parts of Northern Ontario as per request. Also available for travel at special request.

Artist Bio:

Cassandra Fogal was born in Kitchener, Ontario. She is the first child of 2 and is a bona fide military brat. Raised all across Ontario and Valcartier, Quebec, moving and travel became a regular part of her life from the very beginning.

Music, Art and Writing are interests that piqued very early on and have always remained a driving force in her life. She took an interest in photography at the age of 9 when her grandfather gave her an old 110 film camera by Kodak. Eventually she moved on to a 35mm film camera and spent many long hours photographing nature and her family. In highschool, she was able to study photography and was finally introduced to an slr in the form of an old Nikkormat. She gained experience in the darkroom and her love affair with photography was oficially solidified.

Today, Cassandra is married and has a beautiful 13 month old daughter. Mainly working independently from home, she offers a very caring and comfortabe environment for her clients. Branching out into fine art photography is a goal and lifetime dream. She continues to evolve as a photographer and works mainly with digital images, though she still has a fondness for working with film.

The new Nanuk’s Igloo shop will be opening its doors within the next couple of weeks. In honor of this amazing event, I am holding a referral contest.

This contest offers 2 prizes.
The first prize is a $25 gift certificate.
The second prize is a $10 gift certificate.

To win the $25 certificate, refer friends to the website and have them purchase an item. The person who gets the most website referrals, will be awarded with a $25 gift certificate which can be redeemed for any purchase on the site (except custom orders). Make sure that your referrals include your complete name in the additional information box at checkout so that you receive credit for their purchase.

To win the $10 certificate, refer new fans to the Nanuk’s Igloo Custom Jewelry Page. The person who refers the most new fans will receive a $10 gift certificate which can be redeemed for any purchase on the site (except custom orders). Make sure that your referrals either write on The Wall and include your name or send me a message when they sign up. This is the only way I will be able to track your referrals.

I’m sorry to say that due to some very last minute complications, I will not be appearing at Kathy’s Kove today for the Hackettstown Victorian Day. Remember though, that Nanuk’s Igloo is at Kathy’s full time and that you can always shop online.

I’m sorry to disappoint those of you who were coming to see me today, but soon I’ll be available all the time in the shop.